Families of victims involved in a huge accident in 2009 caused by a Missouri truck driver reached a settlement of $62.7 million dollars, according to TheTrucker.com.
In 2009, a Missouri truck driver slammed his tractor-trailer into a line of motor vehicles stopped on an Oklahoma interstate at about 70 miles per hour. After the wreck, three cars were pinned under his truck. The driver was 76-years-old and was found to be severely sleep-deprived at the time of the big rig accident. He had been driving 10 hours at the time of the accident, and did not attempt to brake or swerve as he hit the cars.
The accident caused 10 deaths and several injuries. Eight of the victims sued both the truck driver and the company he was driving for and recently settled the case for $62.7 million. Two other accident victims had reached an earlier settlement. The truck driver served 30 days in jail and is currently on probation. The accident has caused the trucking company to re-examine its driver training and safety procedures.
This fatal truck accident illustrates both the dangers of tired truckers, and the importance of trucking companies implementing safety procedures that address trucker fatigue. If you have been injured in a Missouri tractor-trailer accident, contact the Missouri trucking attorneys at Page Law. We have extensive experience in Missouri big rig accident cases. Call us today at 314-488-2433.
Missouri Highway Patrol officials are investigating a fatal truck accident in Texas County where a 45-year-old Houston man was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer, according to a recent news report. The man was standing on Highway 63 just north of Houston, Missouri, when troopers say the tractor-trailer hit the man. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The truck driver was tested for alcohol as required by Missouri law.
Truck drivers, like other motorists, have a responsibility to be cautious and diligent drivers, following the rules of the road to prevent accidents and injuries. However, when a truck driver is negligent or drives recklessly by not following the regulations of the road, the safety of other commuters is put in jeopardy. The most common causes of fatal Missouri truck accidents include alcohol abuse, truck driver fatigue, distracted drivers (use of cell phones or other communication devices while driving) and poor truck maintenance that may lead to a mechanical malfunction.
In many of these cases, trucking companies can also be held responsible for the accidents. If a trucking company fails to properly inspect its truck or hires drivers with a poor driving record or a history of substance abuse, then the trucking company could be held accountable for damages and injuries caused to innocent victims.
When negligence either by the truck driver or the trucking company causes an injury accident, then the injured victim can seek compensation in a court of law. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Missouri truck accident, please contact an experienced truck accident attorney at Page Law, who may be able to help you receive the compensation you rightfully deserve to cover medical costs, property damage and even lost earnings. Call Page Law today at 866-620-5757 for a free consultation.
Source:http://ozarksfirst.com/content/fulltext/?cid=195642
A recent report from madisonpress.com serves as a reminder of how important it is for truckers and motorists to be aware of the change in traffic-flow. It may seem like an obvious factor to be cautious of when traversing along highways; however, far too many truck accidents take place due to the inability of a tractor trailer or automobile to stop in time when traffic becomes congested.
According to the report, the fatal accident took place on I-79 in Madison County on September 25, 2009, when a passenger vehicle struck a commercial tractor trailer from behind. Apparently, the 18-year-old driver of the passenger car died at the scene from severe injuries. The 50-year-old truck driver of St. Louis did not sustain any injuries from the collision. Based on the article, preliminary investigation at the scene indicated that both drivers were wearing their seat belts and both vehicles were traveling eastbound on I-70 in the center lane.
Although this crash is still under investigation, if it is determined that the commercial truck driver was in any way responsible for causing the accident, he may be held liable for the wrongful death of the passenger driver. Considering that some tractor trailer drivers succumb to stimulants as a means of keeping awake during long drives, investigators may examine whether or not illegal substances played a factor in causing this accident. Even though such drug use is illegal, some truck drivers use extremely poor judgment in putting profit before safety, thus placing innocent motorists at risk of suffering catastrophic injuries and even death.
Tractor trailer accidents can be devastating. When a family loses a loved one in a truck accident where negligence on the part of the truck driver or trucking company played a role in causing the wrongful death, surviving family members may seek compensation for their loss as well as expenses relating to the death. Although no amount of financial compensation can ever replace the loss of a beloved family member, such recompense may relieve the burden and stress of any existing medical expenses, loss of future wages, and other economic damages.
At the St. Louis personal injury law firm of Page Law, our skilled Missouri truck accident wrongful death attorneys have helped many families receive compensation for costs associated with the death of their loved one. For a free consultation of your wrongful death truck accident case, call Page Law today at 866-620-5757.
Source:http://www.madisonpress.com/local.asp?ID=1799&Story=3
